Below you’ll find a sample of Eric Reardon press clippings. Please click on links provided for extended articles, reviews and interviews to get the full story… Enjoy!
2017 Salem Jazz and Soul Festival Schedule of Events
salemjazzsoul.org | 03.22.2017
Its finally here! The 2017 Salem Jazz and Soul Festival celebrates its 11th season of bringing FREE live funk, soul and jazz to the sandy shores of Salem Willows.
This year’s lineup is made up of new acts and returning favorites who are guaranteed to please and get your toes tapping! The festival kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 19th with The Salem High School Jazz Band opening and the A-beez closing out the day. Certainly, this underscores both the breadth and depth of the music that has become the SJSF’s calling card…
Eric Reardon has been playing guitar for over 18 years. And he has grown into a well-known player, songwriter and band organizer in the Greater Boston area. In addition, he plays with up and coming bands like; Sarah and the Wild Versatile, Skunk Sessions – and sits in with Henley Douglas, Jr. and HDRnB. And as one of the North Shore’s top guitarists, Eric can join any band and add his personal touch to their sound. Furthermore, he has opened for acts including; The Heavy Metal Horns, Robert Randolph and the Family Band , Booker T and the MGs , Maroon 5, Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds , Dave Mason and Nick Moss.
Ask anyone who has played with Eric, or watch yourself, he provides solid leadership “in-the-moment” as songs, jams and transitions evolve because he is always thinking ahead while playing. Consequently, Eric is the anchor for the Mercy Tavern (former In a Pig’s Eye) Friday Blues Jams. In addition, he plays at venues throughout New England with various projects and he gives his time to play for local causes and benefits.
New England Blues legend James Montgomery had this to say: “…What impresses me and my other band members about him is that he is a very inventive player; way beyond his years in terms of being able to just jam and go with it. His solos are seamless and he’s got really great ears, not only for someone his age, but for anyone.”
“In short, the thing about Eric is that he has something to say, and he can say it through his instrument and it is totally valid. So that’s how you start, it’s like learning how to carry on a conversation. He’s a great communicator.” said Henley Douglas Jr.
His new self-titled album – released through Sounds of Salem Soul Records (SOSS) – shows his range of skills and styles. To read the whole story… please click here.
Sarah and the Wild Versatile strike out boldly on Fall Into Grace album
Bill Copeland | Bill Copeland Music News | 01.13.2017
It’s hard to pigeonhole what kind of rock music Sarah & the Wild Versatile are playing on their new disc Fall Into Grace. It’s tones are unusual from what rock bands play and their song structures are also unique. Vocalist Sarah Seminski approaches the vocal melody line with her personal quirks and techniques; further insuring that is nothing usual about this band’s signature sound. In addition, guitarist Eric Reardon also leaves his own musical fingerprints of ingenuity all over this album, taking this whole affair to a higher level.
Opening cut “Should’ve Known” is a thick mesh of guitars and keyboards with Seminski moving from gentle coos to throaty roars. Instead of following the usual song patterns, this seem like it was put together from scratch. No recipe, they just make it taste good by adding a little of this and a little of that.
Title track “Fall Into Grace” comes the closest to anything we’ve heard before. It’s a slow boil, bluesy ballad, one that builds into an eventual explosion of exciting sounds and roaring, uplifting vocals. Certainly, Seminski is feeling it here and she makes her listener feel it too. In addition, her lofty, soulful croon carries a lot in its wake and the tastefully self-restrained backing musicians behind her follow her with an equal amount of verve.
“Sherman’s March” finds the band back in unfamiliar territory. With a beat that sounds almost like marching band thumps supports nudges of edgy guitar and keyboards, many melodic twists loaded into the baker’s mix of sound. And Seminski sings with an otherworldly presence, her voice coating the proceedings of eerie keyboard notes and guitar touches. This song is so well put together it’s not funny. To read the entire review click here.